On The Rail With: Nikki Curwen

On The Rail With: Nikki Curwen

Nikki Curwen is our first official TeamO Ambassador. We caught up with her before the start of the SORC Guernsey Solo (which Nikki ended up winning!) to ask her a couple of questions about solo sailing:

Lauren: Oscar and I met you sailing J105s years ago, before you got in to solo sailing. What was so bad about sailing with a crew that made you want to go solo?! 

Nikki: All the smelly men! Haha! There’s also a funny equation rumoured around, that the number of mistakes made around the course is equal to the number of crew squared! So statistically speaking less crew is generally better! 🤣

In all seriousness though, I love the challenge and the freedom solo sailing brings. There’s just something about being by yourself in the middle of nowhere that is rather appealing to me.

Nikki curwen sailing solo sail boat boating race racing teamo marine backtow lifejacket deckharness
L: What was your first ever solo sailing experience?

N: My first ever solo adventure was a lap around the Isle of Wight. I had my eyes set on competing in the SORC Channel Week in 2012 which requires you to do a passage of a minimum 50 miles overnight. So I set off by myself from Hamble into the night and I knew from then I loved it.

L: Do you have any tips for people who are looking to get in to solo sailing? 

N: Try get some experience doing two handed, as ultimately when the other person is asleep you’re running the boat solo, but you have the safety net if something goes wrong.

Nikki Curwen Solo sailing sailor race racing boat boating yacht yachting

L: What is the best thing about being offshore? (and finally, what's the worst thing about being offshore!?) 

N: Best thing is being alone and having the freedom to think and do what ever you want.

Worst thing is definitely the lack of frozen peas and generally good food! When I get back from a long offshore, all I want to eat is fresh fruit and veg! 

L: What are your future goals for the rest of the season/next season? 

N: Next race for me is the solo round the Isle of Wight race with SORC. Their most iconic race which somehow I’ve never managed to enter before; because I was either not around/sailimg something else, or my dad had claimed the boat!

Thanks Nikki, good luck in the SORC Solo Round the Island tomorrow! 

Nikki Curwen sailing solo sail race racing boat yacht teamo marine backtow lifejacket deckharness


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Offshore 170N

Fits very well, I was able to make all the adjustments necessary to fit me. The instructions are good so read them. I have not deployed the jacket yet. I also have worked out how to attach the MOB1. The tether works as expected and attaches to the jack lines with the clips. All in all, I am very pleased and recommend buying this life jacket.

Good choice

Would prefere any EU shop, customs and Vat procedure is boring :)

Excellent lifejacket

I purchased this life jacket in January and, although I have (fortunately) not had the opportunity to use it in a real emergency, I have used it several times. The materials and workmanship are excellent and the jacket is very comfortable to wear, despite being an offshore jacket, which is bulkier than many other “coastal” items (the jacket has a light, a built-in hood and can easily accommodate a PLB). For a more in-depth analysis, look for the Yachting Monthly review published in 2022.
There are only two “issues”: the backtow system does not appear to be all that easy to be repacked if the jacket has been activated and the system deployed. The manual is not very clear on this and the videos on the TemO website refer to older and different versions. I hope TeamO will address this by publishing an updated video for the current system. Otherwise, it would probably be a wise idea to open the jacket and record a video showing how the system is packed for future reference.
The second issue is due to Brexit: if, like me, you plan to buy this life jacket from abroad, be prepared to pay very high customs duties. It's not TeamO's fault, clearly (they seem to try to keep prices low), but if you end up paying 30% more than the listed price, other products might become more interesting. Of course, you'll have to give up the backtow system as TeamO is the only manufacturere to offer a similar solution.

I had a chance to use my new vest this October on 14 days offshore sail. It fits very well no problem to wear it many hours and the materials seems good and durable. Considering my heigh almost 2m i would appreciate even longer straps between legs (always easy to shorten than other way). I haven't fall over yet but once it happens, I will write the second part of review.

Excellent Jacker

I agave taken this jacket and repacked it with accesories. It is comfortable to wear and easy to understand how to rearm and repack with a clever method of turning you around in the water. I've used it for one 750 mile journey and found it stood up well